2013 Science Fair Information

2013 Science Fair Information

Springdale Elementary

Yes, it is time to begin working on your science fair projects. Don't worry. A science fair project is really a lot of fun! A science fair project is an investigation using the scientific method to discover the answer to a scientific problem. It is like a mystery in which you are the detective searching for answers. Only you get to pick the mystery that you want to solve. However, what should not be a mystery is how to complete your project. This information should provide the clues you need to participate with success. If you have questions that are not answered here, ask your teacher. Springdale’s Science Fair will be December 6.

Remember, all fifth graders should submit a science fair project. You are smart and capable and we are expecting great projects from this year's fifth graders!

Please follow the schedule provided below to pace yourself. By doing so, you will learn more, you will enjoy you project more, and you will submit your best work.

Students must keep this timeline and packet in their binder. Please use this sheet to keep track of the items turned in.

I have read the Springdale Science Fair packet and this tracking sheet and will ensure that my child completes this assignment.

Parent Signature: ______Date: ______

Student Signature: ______Date: ______

Components / Due Date / Date
Completed / Parent
initials / Teacher initials / Grade
Title
(your question) in logbook / Sept. 10
Hypothesis in logbook / Sept. 24
Materials List and Procedure in logbook / Oct. 15
Research Report including Results, Conclusions, and logbook / Nov. 5
Completed Project / Nov. 19

Title (your question)

Due Date ______

A list of helpful websites is included on the last page of this package. These sources can help you decide on your project question if one has not yet been selected. Remember to use the books in Mrs. Smith’s class and in the Media Center.

The first step in the scientific process is to identify the problem or question. Here are some points to remember when choosing the question that your project will answer.

·  Choose something that YOU are interested in and want to learn more about.

·  Create a question to investigate that is original. For example, "Which battery lasts the longest?" or "Which brand of popcorn leaves the most kernels?" are questions that have been answered in many science fair projects.

·  Remember that research can be helpful to society. Consider creating a question that will help others. For example, "Which brand of sanitizer kills the most germs?" is a helpful question for consumers.

·  Create a question that will lead to an experiment, not a model. If you can find the answer in research sources, then it is not experimental.

·  Narrow your question. "How does light effect the reproduction of bread mold on white bread?" is a good question because it is limited to one type of mold and one type of bread. The question "How does light effect molds?" is too broad.

·  You might want to look at some science experiments that you find in books and change them to create a question. For example, you might find an experiment that shows how to mix salt and water to make an egg float. To turn this into a question, you might ask, "What happens when different liquids are used?"

* * PLEASE NOTE:

You must obtain approval for experimental procedures of projects involving human subjects, nonhuman vertebrates, pathogens, controlled substances, recombinant DNA, and human/animal tissue. Ask your teacher for these forms BEFORE you begin your work.

Logbook

Due Date ______

Purchase a composition style book to use as your logbook. (See Mrs. Smith if this is a

problem.) The pages should be sewn in not spiral bound.

This first due date is to show your teacher that you have purchased your logbook. You will only have your first entry. It will give your project title and explain why you chose that question to investigate.

·  Label the logbook with your name, your school’s name, and your grade. Once your title is approved, add it to the label.

·  Write all logbook entries in ink. Date all logbook entries. Your logbook is a diary of your project. It doesn’t matter how neat it is. However, you must be able to read the information to include in your report, charts and graphs.

·  If you make a mistake, you must strike it out. (like this) Do not erase or use white out. Do not tear out any pages. (Remember that Post-it Notes was discovered by accident!)

·  Daily measurements and observations should be described in detail.

·  Record everything in your logbook as you work on your project. Include diagrams, graphs, and ideas from printed sources or other people.

Here is an example of a good logbook entry:

Day One: My project title is "What is the effect of Hip Hop music on the growth of African Violet Plants?" I chose this question because I have wondered before if music affects plants. I chose Hip Hop because it is my favorite kind of music. I chose African violets because they are inexpensive.

Here is an example of a poor logbook entry:

I decided to do my project on Hip Hop music and African violets.

When your final project is due, your logbook should have all of these entries.
Title / This is the question your project will answer.
Hypothesis/Question / If using a hypothesis, this is what you predict will happen during your experiment. A question asks what the student wants to know about the experiment(s).
Materials / List all materials used in your investigation. Include what, how much, and what kinds. It is best to use metric measurements.
Procedure / List every step in your investigation. You should repeat your experiment at least three times and record your results. If the results are not the same as the hypothesis, recheck all of your information before you conclude that your project was incorrect. It is still good science if your experiment results are different from your hypothesis.
Measurements &
Observations / Be accurate and thorough.
Conclusion / Answer your original question.

Hypothesis (or Question) in Logbook

Due Date ______

A hypothesis is an idea about the solution to a problem, based on knowledge and research. Here are things to remember when writing your hypothesis:

·  It is a single statement, but it is very important to the success of your project. All of your project work will be done to test your hypothesis. The hypothesis should make a claim about how two factors relate. Here are examples of a good hypothesis:

o  I believe that bread mold does not need light for reproduction on white bread. I base my hypothesis on these facts:

o  In my research I learned that organisms with chlorophyll need light to survive. Molds do not have chlorophyll.

o  I have observed mold grow on bread that has been left in our cabinet.

·  You may need to begin your research before you can make a good hypothesis. Record all of your research in your logbook.

·  Write down your hypothesis before beginning any of your experiments.

·  Do not go back later and change your hypothesis even if your experiment does not support it.

·  Use this format: If _____ (I do this), then _____ (this will happen).

Example: If I heat a magnet, then it will be able to pick up more paper clips than the same magnet at room temperature or when kept in the refrigerator.

Materials List and Procedure in Logbook

(Experiment Description)

Due Date ______

In your logbook, describe the experiment you will do to test your hypothesis.

Here are things to keep in mind when choosing and describing your experiment:

·  Project experimentation is the process of testing a hypothesis or answering a question.

·  Variables are the things that have an effect on the experiment.

o  There are three kinds of variables that you need to identify in your experiment:

o  independent variable: the variable you purposefully manipulate or change

o  dependent variable: the variable that is being observed. It changes in response to the independent variable.

o  controlled variables: the variables that are not changed

·  Have only one independent variable, or thing that you change, in your experiment.

·  Repeat the experiment more than once to verify your results. Consider the time you have until your project is due. Do you have time to repeat your experiment?

·  Have a control.

·  Your procedure or experiment is like a recipe. Your step-by-step directions should be clear so that anyone reading them could duplicate your experiment.

List your materials in your logbook. Here are things to keep in mind:

·  Make sure your list includes things that you can obtain in time to do your experiment.

·  Collect all of your supplies before you begin your experiment. Think through the entire project so you can list all materials.

·  List your materials with specific, accurate amounts. This is very important to your success.

* Remember, you must obtain approval for experimental procedures of projects involving human subjects, nonhuman vertebrates, pathogens, controlled substances, recombinant DNA, and human/animal tissue. Ask your teacher for these forms BEFORE you begin your work.

Research Report and Bibliography

Due Date ______

Research is the process of collecting information from your own experiences, knowledgeable sources, and data from exploratory experiments. You should have already begun to gather research information in order to describe your procedure and list your materials. Keep these things in mind:

·  Do use many references from printed sources such as books, magazines, and newspapers.

·  Do use electronic sources such as computer programs and online services.

·  Do gather information from people such as librarians, scientists, physicians, and others.

·  Do NOT plagiarize. Remember to reword any information you find. You must write information in your own words and give credit in your bibliography for research used in your paper.

·  Use the Research Form on the next page for writing your information. If you write your information on note cards, write the bibliographical information on the card.

·  You may copy the Research Form in your logbook. If you write the research in your logbook, turn your logbook upside down and record the information in the back.

·  This is how to list sources in your bibliography:

Last name of author, First name. Title of source, Place where published: Publisher, Date of publication.

For example:

Sporus, Robert. The Best Book Ever Written about Mold Macon, GA: Fungus Amongus Publishers, 2000.

Your research report should contain all of the sections listed on the next page.

Contents of Research Report

Title Page / The title page should include an interesting title, your title question, your name, school, grade, and date.
Table of Contents / List the sections of your paper and the page numbers where they begin.
Introduction / This section uses facts to introduce the topic. The introduction includes your hypothesis, problem, an explanation of what prompted your research, and what you hoped to achieve.
Materials and Methods / Describe in detail how you did your experiment. Tell how you made your observations and all of the materials and amounts you used. Someone reading this section should be able to repeat your procedure step by step. Include pictures and photographs.
Results / Tell what happened and what you found out. This section includes charts or graphs you make to explain your work. Label these so that they can be understood easily. Also rewrite your day-to-day logs.
Discussion / Compare your results to published information, commonly held beliefs, and/or expected results. Discuss possible errors. Did the results change between experiments? If so, why? What would you do differently? What other experiments could be conducted? Compare the results to your hypothesis. This is an important part of your paper.
Conclusion / Briefly summarize. Be specific. Do not introduce anything that has not already been discussed.
Acknowledgements / You should always credit those who assisted you, including individuals, businesses, and educational or research institutions. It is not a list of names but is a paragraph stating who helped you and how.
Bibliography / This is a list of books, articles, pamphlets and other sources you used to research your paper. See the previous page for format.

Final Project

Due Date ______

Your final project should include:

o  display board

o  logbook

o  research paper in a notebook along with the required forms

o  abstract on the provided form

Here are some things to remember when preparing your display board:

·  You want your board to attract and inform the viewer.

·  A good title is an extremely important attention grabber. It should simply and accurately present your research.

·  Use photos and/or drawings. Many projects involve elements that may not be safely exhibited at the fair, but are an important part of the project. You might want to take photographs of important parts/phases of your experiment to use in your display.